FORMER North Melbourne forward Callum Urch will play for Darley in the Ballarat Football League this year. Devils coach Gary Learmonth hopes Urch will complete a premiership jigsaw.Urch played just eight AFL games before being delisted by the Kangaroos at the end of 2007.He played for Williamstown last season - his third VFL team.He also pulled on the boots for Port Melbourne and managed 25 games over two years for North Ballarat as part of alignments with North Melbourne.Learmonth feels he should slot in nicely up front for Darley."He'll play forward; it's an area where we fell down last year in the grand final," he said."He'll add class and another forward option."Urch's AFL and VFL careers have been hampered by injury, but at this lower level his new coach thinks he should be able to do the job."We're hoping he'll be fit and stay out on the park."Another former VFL player Brent Dryden is moving from Kyneton to Darley Park as the Devils endeavour to go one better than last year's grand final loss to Ballarat.The former Coburg player should bolster the midfield while providing valuable experience."He's played rep footy in the Bendigo league and won Kyneton's best and fairest last year," Learmonth said."He will add leadership as he was a co-captain at Calder Cannons, and also allow Jarrod Edwards and Brad Miller to go forward a bit more."Sam Newton, from Hepburn, has committed to his old club, but is yet to sign, and will bolster the defensive stocks. "He's six-three - he's a big man. "I think he was vice-captain at Hepburn last year, and has been one of the best in that league. "He'll fit in with Shaun Deckert and Matt Cape (down back)."Learmonth expected the trio to provide more than just their football talent."They're all quality players and will provide leadership, which is important in country footy."Most of our guys are 24-25 and after last year's experience will hopefully become a better club and a better team."Bryan McGrath is also returning to the fold after a couple of years out, while Darren Leonard and Kyle Doyle are both training with Werribee. "Fingers crossed they make the list," Learmonth added.And that should be the major changes to the minor premiers."We've finished recruiting and are happy where we are. "But we have to lift another notch to go one step further this year."

January 9 2009 - 1:40PM

Urch heads to Darley Devils

FORMER North Melbourne forward Callum Urch will play for Darley in the Ballarat Football League this year. Devils coach Gary Learmonth hopes Urch will complete a premiership jigsaw.Urch played just eight AFL games before being delisted by the Kangaroos at the end of 2007.He played for Williamstown last season - his third VFL team.He also pulled on the boots for Port Melbourne and managed 25 games over two years for North Ballarat as part of alignments with North Melbourne.Learmonth feels he should slot in nicely up front for Darley."He'll play forward; it's an area where we fell down last year in the grand final," he said."He'll add class and another forward option."Urch's AFL and VFL careers have been hampered by injury, but at this lower level his new coach thinks he should be able to do the job."We're hoping he'll be fit and stay out on the park."Another former VFL player Brent Dryden is moving from Kyneton to Darley Park as the Devils endeavour to go one better than last year's grand final loss to Ballarat.The former Coburg player should bolster the midfield while providing valuable experience."He's played rep footy in the Bendigo league and won Kyneton's best and fairest last year," Learmonth said."He will add leadership as he was a co-captain at Calder Cannons, and also allow Jarrod Edwards and Brad Miller to go forward a bit more."Sam Newton, from Hepburn, has committed to his old club, but is yet to sign, and will bolster the defensive stocks. "He's six-three - he's a big man. "I think he was vice-captain at Hepburn last year, and has been one of the best in that league. "He'll fit in with Shaun Deckert and Matt Cape (down back)."Learmonth expected the trio to provide more than just their football talent."They're all quality players and will provide leadership, which is important in country footy."Most of our guys are 24-25 and after last year's experience will hopefully become a better club and a better team."Bryan McGrath is also returning to the fold after a couple of years out, while Darren Leonard and Kyle Doyle are both training with Werribee. "Fingers crossed they make the list," Learmonth added.And that should be the major changes to the minor premiers."We've finished recruiting and are happy where we are. "But we have to lift another notch to go one step further this year."